Darby Ice Cave Round 2 7-28-12
Inspired by the recent TR by Shane, we rounded up the buddies and made the hour or so drive to go through the Ice Cave. It had been almost 3 years since the last trip and if I didn't know any better I would have thought someone had turned on the water faucet and slowly filled the cave up for 3 years or so. This trip had FAR more water than our last trip, I would say more than double the depth in crotch lake, and the amount of time spent in the water was also greatly increased from last time. Despite the cold, we had a very enjoyable time. Total time in cave was just about 7 hours. We took our sweet time in the beginning taking pictures and enjoying every feature the cave had to offer, but once we hit crotch lake and the following sections of water we put the camera away and were all thinking it was about time we sped the pace up just a tad. Here are a few pics:
Looking at the entrance to the Wind Cave on the approach
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0072.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0079.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0082.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0086.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0095.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0106.jpg
Loving one of a few belly crawls
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0112.jpg
An interesting crawl/down climb
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0185.jpg
Mr and/or Mrs. Mud. An interesting mud sculpture we noticed in one of the many hallways.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0201.jpg
The start of the long sections of water. Don't worry, it got deeper.
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0203.jpg
Cascading water
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0207.jpg
http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/j...2/IMG_0216.jpg